Praying or confessional stand



Patented Nov. 29, I898. H. F. NEHB.

PBAYING 0R GONFESSIONAL STAND.-

(Application filed July 20, 1898.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

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No. 6l5,096. Patented Nov. 29, I898. H. F. NEHR.

PRAYING 0B CONFESSIUNAL STAND.

(Application filed July 20, 1898.) I (N0 Model.) 3 Shoals-Sheet 3.

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UNITED STATES PATENT UFFICE.

HERMAN F.'NEHR, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

PRAYING OR CONFESSIONAL STAND.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 615,096, dated November 29, 1898.

Application filed July 1 3 9 T0 all whont it may concern.-

Beit known that I, HERMAN F. NEHR, of the city of New York, borough of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Praying or Confessional Stand,of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The object of my invention is to construct a praying-stand which may also be used for confessional purposes, and, furthermore, to so construct the said stand that the prayingbench may be adjusted expeditiously and conveniently to suit all requirements of the user of said stand, and whereby also the readingdesk may be adjusted to or from the occupant of the stand or in a vertical direction.

Another object of the invention is to provide for a vertical adjustment of the body portion of the stand, or that portion which supports the praying bench, and a means whereby the front and rear supports for the stand may always be maintained in a vertical position or parallel with each other.

Another object of the invention is to provide an attachment to the reading-desk whereby a screen may be elevated from the desk at the front for confessional purposes and held in its elevated position, and, furthermore, whereby when the screen is not re quired it maybe stored in a suitable receptacle beneath the reading-desk out of sight.

The invention consists in the novel construction and combination of the several parts, as will be hereinafter fully set forth, and pointed out in the claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the improved device, showing the confessionalscreen as elevated. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the improved device, drawn on a larger scale than in Fig. 1, the confessional-screen being stored away and the front upright of the device being in section. view of a portion of the praying-bench and one side of the device, the connecting-rod being in section. Fig. lis a section taken substantially on the line 4: 4c of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a plan view of a latch-segment used in connection With the praying-bench, the upright Fig. 3 is a plan Serial No. 686,445. (No model.)

for the said segment being in horizontal section. Fig. 6 is a section taken through the confessional-screen practically on the line 6 6 of Fig. 1, the said figure also representing one of the supports for the reading-desk in vertical section. Fig. 7 is an inner face view of one of the guide-standards for the confessional screen, the guide standard being shown in its elevated position and as shortened. Fig. 8 is a plan view of the readingdesk, a portion of the desk being broken away to disclose the support therefor. Fig. 9 is an end View of the reading-desk, a portion of the said desk at its end being in section. Fig. 10 is a longitudinal vertical section through the reading-desk and the receptacle carried thereby and adapted to receive the confessional-screen when folded, and Fig. 11 is a detail view illustrating the manner in which the upper rod of the confessionalscreen is mounted to slide in the guide-standards provided therefor.

In the construction of the device four legs are employed-two short legs A and two longer legs B. These legs may also be termed standards. The longer legs or standards B are provided ordinarily near their lower ends with sleeves 10 and 11, and lugs 12 are rearwardly projected from the said sleeves 10 and 11, the lugs 12 being adapted for pivotal engagement with side bars 13, which side bars are parallel. The side bars 13 are pivotally connected at their rear ends to lugs 14., forwardly projected from sliding sections A, mounted upon the rear or shorter legs or standards A, the sliding sections A being preferably closed at the top by an ornamental cap 15. The stationary sections A of the forward legs or standards are provided with internal racks 16, the teeth whereof face forwardly, and in the forward side surface of each stationary section of the forward legs or standards a longitudinal slot 17- is produced, whilea pawl 18 is pivoted upon each sliding section A of each rear leg or standard, and each pawl is provided with a forwardly-extending hook-like handle 19, so that the pawls may be readily disengaged from the racks 16 or placed in position to engage with the teeth of the same, as is particularly shown in Fig. 2. A bearing 20 is secured upon the upper edge of each upper pivoted side rail 13, and

each bearing 20, as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, is provided with two upwardly-extending cars 21, a pivot-pin 21 being passed through the ears.

The lower end of a rod 22 is pivoted on each pivot-pin 21 between the lugs of the bearings, and the upper ends of the rods 22 are hollow to receive the lower ends of sliding sections 23, and at the upper ends of the receiving-section 22 of the connecting-rods a collar 24 is formed, provided with a set-screw 25, the said set-screws being adapted to engage with the upper sections 23 of the connecting-rods. The upper sections 23 of the connecting-rods are pivotally attached to lugs which are projected rearwardly from sleeves 26, secured to the forward or longer legs or standards near the top, as shown in Fig. 2. Under such a construction it will be observed that the rear ends of the side bars 13 may be raised or lowered, and that when the setscrews are loosened the forward and rear legs or standards will maintain their vertical parallel position no matter at what angle the side bars may be adjusted.

A plate 23 is attached to the inner end of each pivot-pin 21, and the said plates 23 are provided with inwardly-extending lugs 24, the said lugs being adapted to support a cushioned bench 25 or a bench of ordinary construction. The plates 23 are preferably made to extend downward from their central portions, and at the lower end of the extended part of each plate 23 a cylinder 26 is formed, and in each cylinder a pin 27 has vertical movement, the pins being normally held to extend below the lower ends of the cylinders by springs 28, located within the said cylinders, as shown in Fig. 4. Each pin 27 is provided with a handle 29 at its upper end in order that the said pins may be conveniently raised when desired.

An arm 30 is secured to the inner face of each upper side bar 13 at or near the central portion of the bearings 20, supported by the said side bars, and each arm 30 is attached to or made integral with a segmental bar 31, the segmental bars 31 being provided with apertures 32, and any of the apertures in either of the segmental bars 31 is adapted to receive the lower end of one spring-controlled locking-pin 27. Thus the segmental bar 31 constitutes a keeper for the locking-pin. By disengaging the pins 27 from the segmental bars 31 the praying or kneeling bench may be adjusted forwardly or rearwardlyand held in adjusted position bypermitting the springcontrolled lockingpins to enter adjacent openings or apertures in the said segmental bars 31, as is clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 4.

At the upper end of each forward leg or standard B a longitudinal bore 33 is made, or the said forward legs or standards may be of tubular construction, and at the upper end of each forward leg or standard l3, preferably at the rear, a longitudinal slot 34 is made, and the slotted portion of each leg or standard B is adapted to receive a split-ring clamp 35, the ends of the split-ring clamps being connected by set-screws 36.

A post 37 is held to slide in the upper end of each forward leg or standard B, and the said posts are adjustable in the said legs after the split-ring clamps are relieved from tension. After adjusting the posts they are held in their adjusted position by means of the setscrews, which are tightened. Each post 37 is secured to an end portion of a frame D, adapted to support a reading-desk C. The frame D consists of parallel side bars 38 and end bars 39, together with a central cross-bar 40, having a longitudinal slot 41 produced therein. A plate 42 is secured to the under face of the central portion of the readingdesk, the plate 42 being immediately over the slotted cross-bar of the frame D, and the plate 42, attached to the reading-desk, is provided with a nipple 43, which is sunk in the under face of the reading-desk, as shown in Fig. 6, and the said nipple is threaded to receive a set-screw 44, the set-screw being passed through the slot 41 in the cross-bar 40 of the frame D and into the said nipple 43. By loosening the set-screw 44 the readingdesk may be adjusted forwardly or rearwardly, the vertical adj ustment of the reading desk being accomplished through the medium of the attached posts 37, above described. In order that the ends of the reading desk when adjusted forwardly or rearwardly will move in unison, ribs 45 are formed longitudinally upon the ends of the frame D, which ribs are made to enter slots 47, made longitudinally in the plates 46, which are secured to the bottom of the reading-desk at or near each of its ends, one of the said guideplates being shown in Fig. 9.

Near the rear edge of the reading-desk a longitudinal opening 48 is made, the top portion 49 whereof is wider than the bottom and forms a countersink adapted to receive the cover 50, which is hinged to the upper portion of the desk or table 0. Below the opening 40 a housing 51 is secured to the bottom of the reading desk or table, said housing forming awell, adapted as a storage-receptacle for the screen E. A spring-roller 52 of ordinary construction is supported at its ends in brackets 62 near the end portions of the said well or housing 51.

In the opening 48 of the table two guidestandards 53 and 54 are located,which standards taper in opposite directions and are arranged to fall one upon the other beneath the cover when not in use, the wider ends of the standards being attached to the end walls of the opening 48 by means of hinges 55 or their equivalents, as shown in Fig. 10. Each of the guide-standards 53 and 54 is provided with a longitudinal undercut groove 56, extending ordinarily from end to end; but the upper portion of each undercut groove 56 is enlarged, and at one side of the main portion of each groove 56 a concavity 57 is made in the bottom wall of the enlargements of the said recesses, as shown particularlyin Fig. 7.

The screen E consists of a top bar 58, provided with heads 59, adapted to enter the undercut portions of the grooves 56 in the said standards, and a series of slats 60, which are attached to flexible strips 61, said strips being secured to the top bar 58 and to the roller 52. When the confessional-screen is to be used, the cover is opened, as shown in Fig. 6, and the standards 53 and 54 are carried to the upright position and the screen is drawn upward, the heads of the top bar 58 traveling in the undercut grooves 56, and when the top bar reaches the upper ends of the said guidestandards the top bar is carried over to an engagement with the concaved surfaces 57 in the enlarged portions of the grooves of the standards, as illustrated in dot-ted lines in Fig. 8.

It is evident that a device of the character above described may be adjusted to suit all the requirements of the clergy and that the various adjustments may be expeditiously and conveniently made.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. In a praying-stand, a pair of uprights one of which is telescopic, side bars or pieces pivotally connected with the telescopic pair of uprights and the opposing pair of uprights, and locking devices, likewise telescopic, connecting the adjustable uprights with the side bars or pieces, substantially as described.

2. In a praying-stand, front and rear uprights, the rear uprights being constructed in adjustable sections, adjustable side pieces connecting the adjustable sections of the rear uprights with the forward uprights, and adjustable locking devices for the side pieces and adjustable uprights, as set forth.

3. In a praying-stand, forward and rear uprights, the rear uprights being constructed in adjustable sections and provided with looking devices, side pieces pivotally connected with the adjustable portions of the rear uprights and with the forward uprights, and adjustable braces connecting the forward uprights with thesaid side pieces, substantially as shown and described.

4:. In a praying-stand, forward and rear uprights, adjustable side bars connecting the forward and rear uprights, and a bench adj ustably supported by said side bars, for the purpose set forth.

5. In a praying-stand, forward and rear uprights, adjustable side bars connecting the uprights, locking devices for the side bars, an adjustable praying-bench carried by the side bars, and locking devices for the praying-bench, for the purpose specified.

6. A praying-stand consisting of forward and rear uprights, adjustable side bars connecting said uprights, locking devices for the side bars, adjustable braces connecting the side bars and one of the uprights at a point above the pivotal connection of the side bars with the uprights, a praying-bench adjustably carried by the side bars, and means for lockingthe praying-bench in position, for the purpose specified.

7. In a praying -stand, the combination, with two sets of uprights, one set of which is constructed in adjustable sections and provided with looking devices for said adjustable sections, side bars connecting the adj ustable sections of the uprights with opposing uprights, a praying -bench pivotally supported by the side bars, a keeper carried by the side bars, and locking devices carried by the bench and arranged for engagement with the said keeper, as specified.

8. In a prayingstand, the combination, with two sets of uprights, one set of which is constructed in adj ustable sections and provided with looking devices for said adjust able sections, side bars connecting the adjustable sections of the uprights with opposing uprights, a praying bench pivotally supported by the side bars, a keeper carried by the side bars, locking devices carried by the bench and arranged for engagement with the said keeper, and truing devices for the uprights, as and for the purpose set forth.

9. In apraying-stand, uprights, side bars adj ustably carried by the uprights, a praying-bench adjustably carried by the side bars, locking devices for the side bars and prayingbench, and means for maintaining the uprights in parallel position, for the purpose set forth.

10. The combination, with a praying-stand and a frame attached thereto having guides formed at its ends and at its center, and a support in which the said frame is vertically adjustable, the support constituting a portion of the stand, of a desk having sliding movement upon the said frame, the desk being provided with ways to receive the end guides of the frame, and a set-screw arranged to pass through the central guide of the frame and into the said desk, for the purpose specified.

11. In a praying-stand, a desk, guides attached to the said desk, blinds arranged-to fold in the desk and to be carried outward therefromin engagement with the said guides, and means for locking the blinds when extended, for the purpose set forth.

12. The combination, with a desk, a springcontrolled roller located within the desk, guides arranged to stand at an angle to the desk and to fold within the same, a blind attached to the said roller and arranged to travel in the said guides when in an upright position, and means for locking the blind to the guides, as and for the purpose set forth.

13. In a praying-stand, the combination, with a reading-desk provided with a housing and an opening leading to the housing, together with a cover for the said opening, of

guides pivoted in the desk, being adapted to end of the blind in the said guides, and for be folded Within the opening of the same, looking the upper end of the blind to the the said guides being likewise adapted to be 1 guides, for the purpose set forth. carried to an upright position, a blind, a 5 spring-controlled roller mounted in the said housing, to which one end of the blind is attached, and means for directing the upper HERMAN F. NEIIR.

\Vitnesses:

JOHN T. FINN, ELRoY T. SCOTT. 

